Friend testifies in K2 murder trial

One of Jonathan Hoffman's best friends said Hoffman's use of synthetic marijuana K2 Spice caused an argument between them.

Max Dashevsky took the stand Friday afternoon in the trial against Hoffman's grandmother, Sandra Layne, who's charged with open murder in Hoffman's shooting death.

Layne shot Hoffman multiple times at their West Bloomfield Township condominium on May 18. Her attorney claims she fired the shots in self defense.

"I knew (Hoffman) smoked Spice and he told me, and I ripped a packet (of Spice) up and we had a big argument," Dashevsky said.

Another member of their group of friends told Hoffman that K2 was bad.

Dashevsky also said that he met the Laynes and received several rides to and from school from Sandra Layne.

Layne loved her grandson "100 percent," Dashevsky said.

Dashevsky described the final night of Hoffman's life. Along with a few other friends, they went to see the Sacha Baron Cohen film "The Dictator" on May 17. After the movie was over, they went to a party in Westland. On the way home, Hoffman's Trailblazer had mechanical issues.

Though Hoffman was high when he picked Dashevsky up, he and Dashevsky refrained from taking any drugs or drinking any alcohol that night.

Hoffman's vehicle had to be taken in for repair the following day, so he had no vehicle access on May 18, which was senior skip day for Hoffman and Dashevsky, who both attended Farmington Central High School.

Hoffman failed a drug test that day and got into an argument with Layne afterward. He called Dashevsky around 5 p.m. and told him that he wanted to hang out, because he was moving to Arizona the next day.

Hoffman told Dashevsky he had tested positive for Spice and Layne had purchased a ticket to Arizona for him.

Hoffman "just sounded scared," Dashevsky said.

"He told me he was going to jail. He didn't sound high. He didn't sound angry."

Dashevsky had been at the mall with his mother's car. He called his mother about 10 minutes after hanging up with Hoffman and got into an argument.

A juror sent in a question asking whether the argument was about Dashevsky hanging out with Hoffman. Dashevsky said "Yes."

Following the argument, Dashevsky and another friend -- Adam Makhoul -- dropped the car off and went to get Makhoul's car. They then waited for a phone call from Hoffman, but the call never came.

A friend texted Dashevsky and Makhoul to inform them of Hoffman's death. They attempted to go to the home, but police prevented them from getting close, so they went to a police station to tell their story.

Makhoul took the stand after Dashevsky. He said Hoffman was one of his best friends and seemed to be his "same goofy self" when they went to the movies on May 17.

Makhoul also was asked about the argument Dashevsky had with his mother. Dashevsky said he was positive the argument was about the vehicle and not about Hoffman.

Before the friends took the stand, Kevin Bedker, an employee of Target Sports, testified. Bedker sold the Glock 17 to Layne in April.

Bedker said Layne wanted the gun for "home protection." She also purchased ammunition, an ammunition loader and hollow-point bullets.

Layne also had fake ammunition -- bullets that are basically the same as a 9mm round but do not fire.

One of those practice rounds became jammed in the gun, so Layne brought it back to Bedker. She also requested a second hour-long training session.

During that training session, Layne's shooting was "proficient," meaning that she hit the target in a vital area, Bedker said.

Layne visited the store four times in total.

After Makhoul's testimony concluded, court was dismissed for the day. Jurors were asked to return at 9:30 a.m. Monday.